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3.4.1. Landfill
When waste is not recycled or reused it has to be disposed somewhere, and it usually ends up at a
landfill site. Landfilling is seen as a successful waste management approach; yet, there are several
reasons why landfilling appears to be the least reasonable waste management strategy. Landfills can
only be used for a short period of time, and landfill reclamation can take hundreds of years.

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Landfill facts and statistics - A global problem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18FLfQDInI8

Many materials that end up as waste in the landfill contain toxic substances. Over time, these toxins
leach into the soil and groundwater, and become environmental hazards for years.

Leachate is a liquid that forms when waste decomposes in a landfill and water filters
through it. This liquid is extremely hazardous and has the potential to pollute land,
groundwater, and waterways.

Organic waste, such as food scraps and green waste, is often compacted and covered when disposed
of in landfills. This depletes the oxygen supply, resulting in an anaerobic process and gases like
methane, a 25-times more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, is eventually released.
(Environment Victoria, 2013)

Additional Resources

• Lesson Plans
https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/environmental-defenders/downloads/Lesson-Plan-Landfills-
and-the-Four-R's-Grades-4-6.pdf
https://kidsgardening.org/resources/lesson-plan-learn-about-landfills/

• Landfill facts and photos for kids:
https://kids.kiddle.co/Landfill#:~:text=A%20landfill%20is%20a%20place,small%20pieces%2C
%20it%20is%20buried.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.